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MUSCOVITE Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

confusing phrasal verbs :-)

Hi,

The following two sample sentences are taken from the Cambridge international dictionary of phrasal verbs:

(A) The programme is very popular and thousands of people LISTEN IN every week.

Will the original meaning change if I rewrite A in this way:

The programme is very popular and thousands of people listen TO IT every week.

(B) I usually LISTEN IN TO the 9 o'clock news as I'm
driving to work

Will I distort the meaning if I omit 'IN' in B ? so it just turns in

I usually LISTEN TO the 9 o'clock news as I'm
driving to work

Please explain the differences if any!

thank you!

mus-te
  

Top answer

A-- No. B-- No.

— Mister Micawber

  • A-- No.
  • B-- No.
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4 Answers
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The basic meaning doesn't change with the substitutions for A and B, however there is a change in tone or mood. "Listen in" - in particular with the original sentence A - implies an intimacy and enthusiasm on the part of the listeners that you lose completely if you omit the "in."
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With broadcast programs the 'in' is taken, I think, from the verb 'to tune in'. Tuning in to a particular station need not be at the beginning of the program, so while "listen" gives the impression of listening to an entire message, "listen in" gives the impression of listening to any or all of the message as is convenient to the listener. Listening in is like overhearing. The speaker need not
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